The Rapides Foundation’s Community Development Initiative addresses social capital by supporting leadership and nonprofit development, and increased civic engagement through Foundation funding provided to its Community Development Works program.

Community Development Works provides an integrated approach to enhance civic and community opportunities for more effective nonprofit leaders and organizations. Its strategies seek to foster increased civic engagement, develop enhanced leadership skills and improve the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations. Improving nonprofits means that those organizations will operate with greater success in pursuit of their missions.

CDW offers a variety of programs in support of its work. This includes the Staffbuilders Training Calendar, the Learning Lab, Cenla Boardbuilders, Cenla Execbuilders and My Civic Life.